The world of dance is in shock after a popular owner of a performing arts school suddenly died after a long fight against cancer.

Liz Burville, 58, ran her own dance school at Studio Court, Bexley Cricket Ground, Manor Way, Bexley. She died on New Year’s Day.

Now Liz Burville Performing Arts has been taken over by a close friend and confidante, Julia Pritchett Edwards.

She said: “She spent three years fighting. It went away for about a year, but then there were complications and it came back.

“I was very close to Liz and it’s an honour to keep the school running. I just hope I can do half as good a job as she did.”

She added: “We lost an incredible woman. The centre just celebrated its 30th anniversary.

“Apart from being a loving wife, mother to her son and daughter and a dear friend to many, the number of people Liz Burville inspired is endless.

“She was an examiner with the Imperial Society of Teachers and Dancing, and the Trinity drama board, a teacher, a mentor, a producer and choreographer.

“Her passion to teach, and nurture young children as they started out their life in performing arts was second to none.

“She gave the children countless opportunities, experiences and memories that they will hold on to forever. We thank you Miss Burville for everything you have given us and you will go on living in our hearts forever.”

Keely Greenwood said: “Students from her academy performed in her memory at Once Upon a Time, a community performance platform, just a week after her death.

“I was a former student 30 years ago but was at the show watching my own daughter and saw a brief tribute to her on the back of the programme.

“I was very saddened to hear of her passing.”

Liz trained at the Bird College and worked extensively in musical theatre and dance.

Her performance credits include Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom, Hello Dolly, Worzel Gummidge, Josephine, as well as performing on the QE2 and with the Tiller Girls.

She had worked on TV commercials, TV dramas, summer shows, touring musicals, pantomimes and youth productions.

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